Cigarette lighter



Dec. 8, 1953 H. G. TREISS, JR 2,661,617

CIGARETTE LIGHTER Filed June 21, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR HERMANGEORGE TREISS JR.

ATTORNEY Dec. 8, 1953 H. G. TREISS, JR

CIGARETTE LIGHTER Filed June a; 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 II/IIIIIf/IIVIII/IIIIl/II IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII (III/IIIIILI VII/I1 I INVENTORHERMAN GEORGE TREISS JR.

h l/(wgw ATTO EY Patented Dec. 8, 1953 UNITED CIGARETTE LIGHTERApplication June 21, 1949, Serial No. 100,322

8 Claims. (Cl. 67-7.1)

This invention relates to cigarette lighters and, more particularly, ofthe type having a foreshortened cap as described in the Landwehr Patents2,461,329 and 2,461,330. As there explained, the chief objects of aforeshortened cap lighter are, on the one hand, to keep the flame at asufficient distance from the front wall to prevent it, ignited by theopening of the cover, from burning the thumb of the user. On the otherhand, the foreshortened cap is mounted to swing about an axis well tothe front of the rear wall, thus eliminating the possibility of the capwhen it snaps open, striking the finger of the user at the rear wall ofthe lighter.

In the aforesaid patents the rear portions of the side walls of theforeshortened cap are bounded by edges in the form of circular arcsconcentric with the pivot axis of the cap; the cap is associated with anintermediate casing, the side walls of which have parallel cut-outs inthe form of circular arcs corresponding to the said circular arcs of thecap, which is snugly received therein. One of the objects of thisinvention is to provide a lighter of the type described in which theintermediate casing is not provided with cut-outs to receive thecircular-arc rear portion of the cap. Instead, in the improved lighterof this invention, the side walls of the cap are disposed interiorlywithin the side walls of the intermediate casing. Some of the advantagesof this improved arrangement are that the fabrication of theintermediate casing is simplified; there is no need of close toleranceas in vthe prior construction in which the cap side walls had to fitprecisely in the wall cut-outs of the in- I;

termediate casing.

In the aforementioned prior lighter, the lower edges of the side wallsof the cap abut the upper edges of the side walls of the intermediatecasing, which edges thus serve as a stop limiting the closing positionof the cap. In the improved arrangement of the instant lighter (asbriefly described above), the side walls of the cap are disposedinteriorly of the side walls of the intermediate casing, so that saidcasing walls 4 invention, namely, the additional object Which 2 is tocenter the flint wheel upon its spindle. How this is achieved will alsobe fully explained hereinafter.

In the aforesaid prior art lighter in which the side walls of the capare coplanar with the side walls of the intermediate casing, the pin onwhich the cap is pivoted is exposed at both ends. In the improvedlighter, on the other hand, wherein the side walls of the cap aredisposed inwardly of the supporting ears and the latter, in turn, aredisposed inwardly of the side walls of the intermediate casing, the endsof the pivot pin are not exposed, being hidden by the said side walls ofthe intermediate casing.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved safety latchfor the cap.

For the attainment of the foregoing and such other objects of theinvention as may appear or be pointed out herein, I have shown apreferred embodiment of my invention on the accompanying drawing,wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the improved lighter;

Fig. 2, likewise in perspective, shows the lighter in exploded view withthe intermediate casing in overlying relation to the main lighter part,and with the outer casing, in underlying relation;

Fig. 3 is an end View of the top portion of the lighter, with the cap inopen position;

Fig. 4 is an elevational sectional view of the lighter, with the cap inclosed position;

Fig. 5 is a front view of the lighter, with the,

cap in closed position, the outer wall at the cap latch being brokenaway to reveal the operation of the latch when subjected to pressurenormal to. the lighter wall;

Fig. 5a. is a view similar to Fig. 5 but showing the cap opened as aresult of the proper manipulation of the latch;

Fig. 6 is an end view (enlarged) of the lighter, from the rear, with theupper portion of the casing broken away;

I Fig. 7 is an elevational section (on an enlarged scale) through theupper portion of the improved lighter;

Fig. 8 is a section taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. '7; and

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the snuffer-cap spring.

The aforementioned cap-also referred to as the snuiier cap-is designated26 and comprises side walls 44, front wall 45 and top wall 36. The rearportions of said side walls M have edges 41 in the form of circular arcsconcentric with the pivot pin ll of the cap. The aforementionedintermediate casing is designated 35 and comprises side walls 36, afront wall 31 and a rear wall 38. The transverse dimension of the cap 20(i. e., across its front wall 45) is considerably less than the insidetransverse width of the intermediate casing 35 (i. e., across its frontand rear walls 31, 38) so that the cap will be received interiorly ofthe intermediate casing. More particularly, the transverse width of thecap, is sufficiently smaller than the inside width of the intermediatecasing to provide space for a pair of: supporting ears I5 which projectupwardly from the side walls 19, l 9 of fuel tank ll].

It will be observed from Fig. 2 that the ears 55, [5 are integral withthe sidewalls l9, IQ of. fuel tank it so that absolutely flush sides arepresented. The fuel tank I!) (and its associated. parts, see Fig. 2) isset into the outer casing 30, the side walls I9, l9 of the fuel tank insliding engagement within the side walls 39, 39 of outer casing 3.9..The intermediate casing 35 is then set, over the upper portion of. the.fuel. tank, theside walls 36, 36 of the intermediate casingin.- slidingengagement with the upstanding ears l5, l5 andsides I9, l9. (at least,the upper portions) of fuel tank Iii. In the home position of the outer.casing 33 and intermediate casing 35-, see.

Fig, 5, the lower edge 36* of the side walls 36 of. the intermediate.casing 35. is in abutment. with. they upper edge. Mi of the sidewalls39' of outer casing 30.. Similarly, the rear wall 38 abuts the rear wall3| of outer casing 39, see Fig. 4, while the front wall 31 abuts. 3! ina similar manner.

The top edges of the intermediate casing 35 are. stepped, Figs. 1 and2,. to present a raised rear portion 43 and a lowered. front portion42,. the.

step. being arcuate as indicated. at. 48. The object. of lowering the.front portion of intermediate. casing 35 is to assure a freer flame, byproviding clearance at this point, as will be subsequently seen, wherethe wick. projects upwardly.

The intermediate, casing 35 is. secured to the fuel tank [9 by thefollowing means: a shortlug 3.2 depends from the rear wall 38 of.intermediate casing. 35, being secured. interiorly thereto, as

by welding, see Figs. 4, 6 and '7. A small. apertime 32., Fig. 2, isprovided at the distal end of lug 32, for a small screw 33, Figs. 4, 6and '7, which screws into a tapped. hole 66. provided in the rearportion. of a. tank. enclosure member, designated generally 6|, see.Fig, 7. As shown in said figure, said rear portion of enclosure member6.! is provided with a countersunk boss 65 which provides a. thickenedwall. for the threads and a countersunk recess for they flat head ofscrew 33. As. shown in Fig. 6., the rear wall [3 of tank l3. has anarcuate recess 13 in which. said depending lug 32 is received, so that aflush. surface is present, see Fig. 7, to receive. the outer casing, i.e., its rear wall 3 f.

To prevent thefront of. intermediate casing 35 from tilting despite theforegoing. securement at its rear, the following means are employed: Apair of very small notches I4, I4, see Fig. 2, are provided: at thefront edge of the fuel. tank near its upper end; and a pair ofprojections 3.4, 34., see Figs. 5, 5a and '7, are provided at the loweredge of the front wall 37' of intermediate casing 35-and interiorlythereof. To associate the intermediate casing'with the fuel tank, thepair of projections 34', 34- of' the intermediate casing are inserted inthe: notches i4, M of the fuel tank, with. the intermediate casing. incooked or tilted position. The intermediate casing is then turned, withM... 3'4 as a pivot, downwardlywith its depending lug.

32 being received in the said recess |3 of the rear wall of the fueltank; the screw 33 is then applied to lock the intermediate casing inposition.

The side walls l9, notched at their upper rear corners, see Fig. 2,where the corner notch in view is designated 49; the rear wall 38 of theintermediate casing is received in said pair oi corner notches 4.9, 49.

It is understood that the outer casing 30 is held associated with fueltank ID by the frictional engagement of their respective wall surfaces,so that the outer casing 30 may be pulled off to expose the open bottomof the fuel tank to get at the cap screw 29., Fig. 4, which closes theflint tube. 2.1, and. toadd. fuel to be absorbed by cotton 25, and toget at the wick 24.

Flint tube 2"! opens at the top of the fuel tank, where flint 28 extendsinto contact with flint wheel 60, being pressed upwardly by compressionspring 23.. As. best shown in. Fig- '7: the toppertion of said, tank.enclosure member 61. is pro-- vided with an aperture 6 wherethrough theupper reduced end: (ZJI of flint tube 21- pro.- trudes. As brieflyindicated in the objects of the, invention, one; of these isto locatethe flint wheel. centrally of the lighter, that is, at the center ofpivot pin IT. This has. not. been. possible in; prior constructions, asfor example in the. aforesaid Landwehr patents (see Fig. 4; of No.2,461,329) ,from whichit willbe seen that the flint. 28, although itselfdisposed centrally, engages toone side of the flint Wheel. GI], becausethe. latter is not disposed centrally. This, the cause of uneven. wearof the flint wheel and. unequal pressures at the. two bearings or endsof pivot pin [1 is remedied in the improved lighter inthe. fol.- lowingmanner: In the first. place, by reason of the. fact that the. sidewalls. 44,. 44, of, the. cap, 20- are now insidev of, or interiorlyof,the. fuel. tank. ears !5, l5, see especially Fig. 3, whilev the. latterare, in turn, interiorly of the side walls. 36., 35v of intermediatecasing 35, the inside dimension. between cap walls 44, 4.4 isconsiderably less. than in the. prior construction (wherein the sidewalls of the cap. are coplanar with the side walls of the intermediatecasing). This reduction in interior dimension of the cap helps to centertheflint wheel transversely thereof. In the second place, the flintwheel 63 in. the irr-iprovedv lighter is shell-shaped, see Fig. 8, toprovide a cavity 69 for reception of a coil spring, now to be described.

Thirdly, this centering is further madepossible by employing springwhich has two layers or convolutionssee Fig. 8, inner convolutions 8iand outer convolutions 82, both convolutions being. partially receivedin the. said end cavity 69 of the. flint. wheel. The spring wire iswound, in two convolutions, as described, about the pivot. pin [1, orrather, a bushing [-8 which encircles. pivot pin IT. The wire iscontinuous, in thatv the last convolution of the inner layer 8| connectswith the last convolution of the outer layer 8-2; the other ends beyondthe wheel cavity (69 extend as shown in. Fig. 7-; the end of the innerconvolution or layer (8|) is designated 83 and extends upwardly, withits distal end. in underlying. relation to. the, top wall 46 of the capor cover 20; the end of the outer layer or convolution (8 2) isdesignated 84 and extends downwardly, with its distal portion abutting;the tank closure member 6|.

The top edges of the side walls. 36, 35, of intermediate casing 35 isflanged inwardly at 42. and.

IQ of the fuel tank are 43 to bring the inner edges of the flanges inadjacency to the side walls 44, M of cap 20. The top edge of the frontand rear walls 31, 38 of the intermediate casing is also flangedinwardly at 40 (rear) and 4| (front) to bring the inner edge of flanges4| and 40 in adjacency to the front wall 45 of cap 20, and to the reararcuate top wall 41, see Fig. 4.

Referring to Fig. 7, the top portion of tank enclosure member 6! isprovided with an aperture 62 wherethrough the wick tube 22 extends, theenlarged head 26 of which rests on the member 6|. The flame at theexposed tip of the wick is extinguished by a snuffer cup 55 which has asnug fit with the top beveled end of wick tube head 26, as best shown inFig. 7. The purpose of this snug fit is to seal the open end of the wicktube to prevent evaporation of the volatile fuel therein. To assure thissealing fit of the snuffer 55 with wick head 26, the snuffer 55 isarticulated at the distal end of a spring strip finger 55, as by a rivet54; the riveted securement is a loose one so that snuffer 55 has anextent of free movement so that the snuffer may adjust itself in seatingon the tapered to end of wick head 26. It is understood that when thecap 25 is closed and snuffer 55 engaged with wick head 26, the springfinger 56 will be placed under tension so as to provide sealing pressureat the joint between 55 and 26.

Strip spring finger 56 is an integral part of strip spring 50, seeespecially Fig. 9, which has a wider arcuate portion 51, see also Fig.'7. As shown in the latter figure, arcuate portion 5'? is snug againstthe underside of the arcuate roof portion of cap 20. The strip spring 50is not secured to the snuffer cap 29, nor to any other part, being heldin position by assemblage. That is, the part 50 is held in assembledposition by the pawl disc 90. The latter is apertured for the pivot pinl7 and its bushing l8 and has an arcuate recess 91 in which both thearcuate roof portion 4? of the cap and the arcuate portion 5! of thespring 50 (Fig. 9) are received. In this manner, the spring 50 is heldsecurely between pawl disc 90 and the underside of cap 20. Strip spring5!] further has a pair of upturned ears 5|, 5! which fit in underlyingrelation with the cover 20, see Fig. '7.

The significance of the circumstance that the L stopping abutmentbetween the edges of the side walls of the intermediate casing 35 andthe cap 20--present in the aforesaid Landwehr lighter have beeneliminated, as particularized in the statement of invention hereof, maynow be explained: In the aforesaid prior art lighter, the snuifer cap ispositively stopped by abutment of the lower edges of its side walls withthe top edges of the side walls of the intermediate casing; hence, inthe prior art lighter, the cap will be positively stopped at such edges,rather than at the seal joint between the snuffer and the wick head. Inthe improved lighter, on the other hand, by reason of the entireelimination of the other stop, the closing movement of the cap ispositively stopped at the wick head, so that a more effective seal isassured.

The aforesaid spring wire 80, Figs. 2 and 3. tends to turn cap 20, onits pivot pin H, in opening direction which movement is stopped byabutment of the rear edge 41 see Fig. 4, of the top arcuate roof 4'! ofcap 20, with the exposed top end 21 of the flint tube 21. This openingurgency is normally restrained by the latch means which includes a mainspring 10, which is secured to the front wall of the fuel tank (moreparticularly, to the front portion of tank closure member 6|) by a screw15 at its lower end, Figs. 2, 4 and an auxiliary spring H which istongued out of the main spring. Main spring is provided with an inwardlydirected oifset 16, whereas auxiliary spring H is straight throughoutits length. As clearly shown in Fig. '7, ofiset 16 is at a point in thatportion of main spring ll] having the opening resulting by tonguing outthe auxiliary spring therefrom. Main spring (0 has an aperture i2 at itsupper, distal end in which is received and latched, an inwardly-directedtab 52 at the lower edge of front wall 45 of the cap 20.

In the closed position of the cap, as in Figs. 4 and '7, tab 52 isreceived in aperture '52 of the main spring Hi and thus latched down,against the opening urgency of spring 853. The latch is released by theproper manipulation (as will be explained) of a button '54. This buttonis a discrete part and is held in proper position by the intermediatecasing 35, in the following manner: Button hi has a short pin 18, 78projectr ing laterally from its both ends, which pins are nestled in apair of parallel notches i2, 12 provided in a pair of parallel ears H, Huprising from the top of fuel tank Hi, at its both sides, see especiallyFig. 2. The front wall 3'! of the intermediate casing 38 is providedwith a window 2| wherethrough a portion of button l i protrudes. Thebutton it is provided at its lower portion with a rabbet orsquare-cornered notch 79. The parts just described are assembled in thefollowing manner: the button 74 is positioned with its two lateral pinsl8, 78 received in notches I2, [2 and with its squared recess 19 facingoutwardly and disposed below the pins. The intermediate casing 35 isthen slipped into place (as fully described above) with the manipulativeportion of button l4 protruding through window 2| of the intermediatecasing.

The latching means just described is, in eifect, a safety latch in thatthe cap will be operated (and the wick ignited) only by the proper rnanipulation thereof. That is, the improved latching means is designed sothat it will not release by normal pressure against front wall of thelighter. This aspect is important because the improved lighter cannot beopened (and ignited) by accidental pressure against button 54, as whenin ones pocket. What happens to the improved latching means when normalpressure is brought to bear against its button is shown in Fig. 5. In

the normal, closed position of the cap, as shown in Fig. 4, the squarednotch or rabbet T5 of button 14 is disposed at the lower edge 21* ofwindow 2! of the intermediate casing and is maintained in close adjacenctherewith by the distal end of auxiliary spring H. Now if a normalpressure, such as represented by the arrow N, Fig. 5, bears againstbutton M, the latter will move, translationally, rearwardly against theauxiliary spring H, see Fig. 5, but such translational movement ofbutton M is insufiicient to move the main spring rearwardly (to releasetab 52). But if the button is additionally given a downward.(rotational) movement, as represented by the curved arrow M in Fig. 5a,not only does it move translationally rearwardlyas it did in Fig. 5-butit also is rotated through a limited angle by the downward manipulativeforce applied to it. This rotational movement of button 14 causes thelower end of the button aeeigeic to zmove the main spring Ill), as inFig. 5a, sufiic'iently to release :cap tab '52.

"To summarize the ioperaticn of the latch; the adjacency to "the -:edge25m of window 21 of the transverse shoulder of latch notch 19 precludestherelease of thecover -byaccidental pressure of either a downward or arotational character. This shoulder must first clear-edge 21:0. This itcan do only by an inward 'initial movement of the latch to free it forrotation. The latch releasing movement is 'thencompleted only byrotation'to cause its cam "i6 to move the cover looking .spring to coverreleasing position.

It will be observed, best from Fig. 7, that the upper distal end of mainspring It has -a rear-- wardly-inclined cam surface T3 of considerablesize. It will also be seen from this figure that the aperture 52 isconsiderably larger than the thickness of the tab 52. As a result ofboth circumstances, the parts need not be made to a precise or closemanufacturing tolerance. It will be seen that in closingand re-latchingthe cover 2e, its tab 52 will push main spring '39 rearwardly during aconsiderable angle of turning, and not at one rigid or predeterminedangle; also that there may be a variation in'the precise position ofaperture 12 without any danger that the parts (52 and 72) will notinteract as designed.

The frictional engagement of the outer casing 39 with the fuel tank itmay be supplemented, if desired, by inter-engagement of the indentationsHi and iili (see Fig. 2).

The disk 93) has an inwardly directed pawl 90 formed by a cutting and.bending operation (see Fig. 3). This pawl is normally inengagement'with ratchet teeth formedon the side of the flint wheel. Thepawl disk thus serves additionally to rotate the flint wheel when and asthe cap is opened.

Having thus described my invention and i1- lustrated its use, what Iclaim as newand desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a lighter of the class described, in combination, a fuel tankslidably received in an outer casing, said fuel tank having a pair ofapertured ears flush with its side walls, a cap having parallel sidewalls disposed interiorly of said pair of ears and pivotally mountedthereto by means of a pin supported in the apertures of said ears, anintermediate casing open at top and bottom slidably received on theupper portion of the fuel tank extending above the top edges of saidouter casing, said top edges and the bottom edges of the intermediatecasing being in abutment, the I upper portion of said cap extendingthrough the top opening of the intermediate casing, the'front wall ofsaid fuel tank being provided at its upper edge with a notch and thefront wall of the intermediate casing being provided at its lower edgewith an inwardly-directed projection receivable in the said notch, therear wall of the intermediate casing having a depending lug received ina recess in the rear wall of the fuel tank and secured thereto after thesaid reception of the casing projection in the fuel tank notch, the sidewalls of the intermediate casing covering both ends of the said cappivot pin.

2. A snuffer holder for use with a cigarette lighter of the typeprovided with a spring opened pivotal cap having an arcuate portionoverlying a flint wheel, a straight portion extending therefromconnected by a V-shaped portion, and a pawl disk for turning the flintwheel operated by opening movement of the cap, the cap, wheel and pawldisk beingmounted on a common pivot; said snuffer holder comprising, anarcuateportionconformed to fitclosely adjacent the concave face of thearcuate portion of the cap in overlying relation to the pawl disk, and'astraight resilient portion extending therefrom below the top of thearcuate portion and provided at its distal end with means for securementof a'snufl'er, said straight resilient portion having a wing on eachside adjacent its connection with the arcuate portion, each wing forminga V-shaped connection with said arcuate'portion for seating the saidV-shaped portion of the cap to cause the snuifer holder to movepivotally with the cap.

3. In a cigarette lighter the combination of, an outer casing having awindow, a cap, spring urged toward'open' position, 'a yieldable latchdisposed within the casing for releasably securing said cap in itsclosed position, afulcrumed latch releasing member movably mounted insaid'casing window, means for restricting movement of the latchreleasing memberto a rectilinear direction for a predetermined distance,and pivot means on said member for turning the member after saidrectilinear movement, to displace the latch and release the cap.

4. In a cigarette lighter the combination of an outer casing having awindow, a cap for closing the casing, spring urged to open position, ayieldable latch for releasably securing the cap in closed, position, afulcrumed latch releasing member movably mounted in said casing window,said member being provided with a floatingpivotand means restricting thedirection of movement of the releasing member to a rectilinear directionfor a distance predetermined by the limit of movement of the floatingpivot, whereby the said latch releasing member, to move the latch andrelease the cap, must first be moved in a rectilinear direction for saidpredetermined .distance and then be turned about the pivot at the limitof the latters motion.

5. In a cigarette lighter, an outer casing having a window, a'cap urgedtoward openposition by a spring, a yieldable latch within the casing forreleasably securing the cap in casing closing position, a latch releasemember mounted .upon a fulcrum about which it may have a swingingmovement and normally disposed in said casing Window, said member beingalso movable .in the window in a rectilinear direction with respect tothe fulcrum, and cooperating means on .the release member and casing toprevent the swinging movement thereof to release the latch and open thecap until such rectilinear movement of the release member has beeneffected.

6. In a cigarette lighter, the combination of an outer casing having awindow, a cap, spring urged to open position, a yieldable latch forreleasably securing the cap in closed position, a latch releasing membermovably received in said casing Window, a pair of pins extendinglaterally from each side of the latch releasing member and received inlongitudinal recesses extending inwardly of the casing, a rabbeted notchin said member in which the lower edge of the window is received, toprevent pivotal motion of the latch releasing member when in theoutermost position of its pins, whereby the latch releasing member mustbe moved inwardly of the casingalong said longitudinal recessessufficiently to disengage said notch from the casing before it canbeturned about its lateral pins to displace .the latch and release the-capto its open position.

7. In a cigarette lighter the combination of an outer casing having awindow, a cap for closing the casing, spring urged to open position, ayieldable latch for releasably securing the cap in closed position, afulcrumed latch releasing member movable in said window, said membercomprising, a body having trunnions received in longitudinally extendingrecesses within the casing, a shoulder engaging the casing adjacent thewindow and preventing turning of the member, and an eccentric portionfor displacing the latch and releasing the cap upon turning of the latchreleasing member, after it has been moved in the direction of thelongitudinal recesses to ousengage the shoulder.

8. In a lighter of, the class described, in combination, a main casing,a cap pivotally mounted thereon and spring-urged into open position andprovided with an inwardly-directed lug, a main spring secured at itslower end to a Wall of the casing and apertured at its upper distal endfor latching said cap lug, an auxiliary spring tongued out of the mainspring and ofiset at the upper portion of the auxiliary spring to permitinward movement thereof independently of the main spring, a buttondisposed in an opening in said wall of the casing and mounted thereinfor both a translational movement inwardly of the casing also for anangular movement, and cooperating means on the casing and button forrestricting the button initially to a movement translationally inwardlyof the casing and then freeing said button from such restriction forsubsequent turning movement thereof through a predetermined angle from anormal position, the distal end of the auxiliary spring returning thebutton to its said normal position, said inward translational movementmoving the auxiliary spring inwardly but being insufficient to so movethe main spring, said button turning from normal position beingeffective to move the auxiliary spring sufficiently to move the mainspring and release the cap.

HERMAN GEORGE TREISS, JR.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,069,207 Wachtel Aug. 5, 1913 2,183,706 Bass Dec. 19, 19392,461,329 Landwehr Feb. 8, 1949- 2,461,330 Landwehr Feb. 8, 19492,477,522 Mason July 26, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date120,234 Great Britain Nov. 7, 1918 378,356 Great Britain Aug. 11, 1932530,901 France Oct. 12, 1921 537,397 France Mar. 3, 1922 549,138 FranceNov. 10, 1922

